Marijuana was banned in the U.S. in 1970, with congress placing it as a Schedule 1 drug as per the Controlled Substance Act. The notion was that the plant did not have any acceptable medical use. However, since its banning by the federal government, over 30 states have legalized the plant's use for medical purposes. Advocates of the use of marijuana for medical purposes argue that it can be a safe and effective drug. Its applicability is vast as it effectively treats the symptoms of diseases such as cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and other conditions. Numerous researchers in peer-reviewed studies have also addressed the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. However, opponents of the drug argue that it is too dangerous and lacks FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval. Finally, they claim that legal alternatives make marijuana an unnecessary drug in the medical field. Some of the common factors for the standpoint include notions of the drug being addictive, resulting in more challenging drug use. Additionally, thy speculate that it interferes with fertility and impairs driving ability, among others. Overall, they claim that it is a ploy to legalize the drug for recreational uses.
Pro or Con
Medical Risk
The most noticeable argument from the identified point of view of marijuana legalization negates the standard drug safety protocols. Most of the arguments claim that there are safer alternatives that patients can take, which mimic THC's effects. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the over 100 cannabinoids found in marijuana drug. It is the main psychoactive component of the drug and is regarded by many opponents to the legalization of cannabis as being addictive. Additionally, they claim that it has similar effects and risks as tobacco; therefore, the harmful effects are inflated when mixed. The notion is supported by the argument that it is smoked differently from tobacco, thereby making respiratory risks similar if not worse than tobacco. However, none of the claims made concerning the drug is valid under any condition. The notion is supported by decades of imperial studies and research on the various cannabinoids found in the plant. There are no documented medical events of individuals dying from overdosing. In addition to that, research data identifies that tobacco has significantly higher health risks than smoked marijuana. Therefore, it is sufficient to state that the medical risks associated with cannabis are false. The drug is being used in numerous studies to identify its use in other medical fields other than pain relief.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Driving Risk
Based on numerous peer-reviewed studies, the DOT (Department of Transportation) identified that marijuana significantly impacted the impairing drivers' ability to drive vehicles. Among the drug opponents they claim that driving and cannabis should not be mixed as it impairs balance and coordination. The affected areas identified are further identified as the functional components of driving. Other arguments claimed that drugs responsible for reliving symptoms also affect the ability of individuals to drive. They claim that the "acute phase" critically affects drivers; the acute phase is after smoking, which is approximately 60 minutes. Finally, it is argued that frequent use of the drug results in temporary short term memory loss. The driver will be unable to remember information minutes or seconds before a specific action. The notions of the opponents to the medical use of marijuana focus their argument on driver impairment. However, studies from the DOT had otherwise to state. It should be noted that the results of the study are inconclusive. Nevertheless, it identified that though cannabis can cause impairment, drivers who smoked marijuana were subjected to simulator and driving studies. The outcome was that the drivers drove typically slowly and followed other vehicles from a greater distance. Overall, the drivers took fewer risks than those under the influence of other drugs such as alcohol.
Treatment of Severe or Chronic Pain
Opponents of medical use of cannabis claim that the body will develop a tolerance if used for pain relief. Rather than identifying how the drug can be used effectively, they support alternative drugs such as opioids, which have high rates of addiction. Additionally, it is regarded as a passive means of addressing bodily pain, meaning that the body can quickly develop tolerances to the extent the dosage must be increased. It is critical to note that the argument is not based on the drug's actual benefit, relatively, its long-term effects on the body. The information posted by opponents of cannabis use is factual. The body develops tolerances to the use of cannabis. However, it offers a better alternative to opioids that are incredibly addictive and develop tolerances requiring the increment of the dosage.
Conclusion
Medical use of marijuana has found everyday use in the United States as a means of pain control. Though the drug is not strong enough for severe pains such as post-surgery pain, it is useful in chronic pain management, plaguing millions of Americans. The drug has been demystified over the decades, with more states requesting its legalization and use in the medical field. The country has an aging population and chronic disease area common factor. Cannabis can be used to manage the issues at a more cost-effective and medically ethical approach.
